Advice Pls 4/3rds CSC or High End Compact?

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Russ
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Hi all, i am looking to buy either a CSC or a high end compact to suplement my DSLR. It will be used for street photography, as my 5D2 is a bit in your face, i want someting more subtle.

I have been looking at the Canon G12, and the Olympus XZ-1, i really like the idea of the articulated screen in the G12, and the tiny size of the XZ-1, but worry about the size of the sensor and also perhaps buying into "dying"? tech, as the CSC cameras seem to be taking over.

The flip side is to look at a micro 4/3rds such as the Olympus Pen EP2/3 EPL2/3 or the Lumix G2/G3. Bigger sensor, would only want a prime 50mm ish equivalent lens, as i don't see the point of a big lens on the front of a tiny body.

Anyone have any thoughts?

cheers
 
Im biased, but I think m4t would be good for you, you'd get most of the features you're used to from your dslr with the advantage of size and weight.

Olympus are just about to release a 50mm prime, and there are already smaller primes such as the 45, 20, 17, 14 and 12.

I generally stick to my 20mm for street stuff.
 
i have the same quandry - olympus or panny. im leaning toward the olympus at the moment, but looking for feedback
 
I have a G1 and a GF1, I also have a LX5 which is arguably the best of the high end compacts and if it isn't the best there isn't much difference that'll matter between the LX5 and the best.

All I can say is that the LX5 can't live with the image quality of MFT, not at base ISO and certainly not as the ISO creeps up.
 
In a similar quandry,but looking at the Oly xz-1 as being a good compromise between weight/size and IQ.
Yes m4/3rds have better IQ, but i have no desire to buy into another camera system with extra lenses to carry about.
Cheapest package deal i have found so far is from bristol cameras with bag /battery/ 8gb mem card etc £355
 
i like the idea of changing my lens to suit what im doing, a fixed lens compact isnt really what im after.
 
I'm also in a bit of a dilemma, having just booked a 2 week cruise in the Caribbean (a 50th Birthday treat from the wife) I want a camera that is not going to weigh me down every day, and something to have handy of an evening. I love the idea of the rangefinder style cameras, but wonder if a decent compact will be better.

I had thought about the G12, but the 4/3 system appeals to me, especially if I can have 2 decent primes with it.

Steve
 
I've recently bought an Olympus Pen and I've been really impressed with it, excellent image quality and its nice having something so small to take with you.
I agree the primes are good, in the more affordable range certainly the Panasonic 20mm and the Olympus 17mm is good too, if not as loved as the 20mm.

Also consider a Panasonic, some excellent offer right now on the GF2 Twin Lens Kit, £400 with the 14-42 and 14mm lenses.
 
Have borrowed an XZ-1 and the menu system is driving me up the wall.

If you think the XZ-1 menus are bad I'd like to see what you think of the Pen's menu. It's like the options are trying to play hide and seek with you.

The Panasonic one's are much better and easier to use.
 
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